Link structure



Dec. 28, 1954 P. E. BRONER 2,697,845

LINK STRUCTURE Filed June 18, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 35 I2 64 25 O l3 535 INVENTOR.

' PAUL E.BRONER ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1954 P. E. BRONER 2,697,845

LINK STRUCTURE Filed June 18, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PAUL E. BRONER ATTO RN EY United States Patent 1 2,697,845 LINKSTRUCTURE Paul E. Broner, Detroit, Mich. Application June 18, 1951,Serial No. 232,112 -4 Claims. (Cl. 14-45) This invention relates toextensible and contractable structures.

It is an object of this invention to provide a structure having two ormore sides disposed at an angle to each other and wherein each side iscomposed of articulated linkage of the lazy tong type. The adjacentsides are pivotally connected by angle members in a manner such that allof the sides extend and contract as a unit.

It is another object of this invention to provide a structure of theabove type having laterally spaced sides and having opposed sidesinterposed between the laterally spaced sides. The angle memberspivotally connect adjacent sides so that all of the sides extend orcontract as a unit and the opposed sides contact one another in theextended position to impart rigidity to the structure. This constructionis important especially in military operations where the structure isemployed as a temporary bridge .or ramp over which vehicles may betransported.

It is still another object of this invention to stagger the linkageforming one opposed wall with respect to the linkage forming the otheropposed wall so that in the extended position of the structure, thelinks of one side respectively lie' between adjacent links of the otheropposed wall and provide a substantially continuous supporting surface.

It is a further object of this invention to extend the ends of thelinksforming the laterally spaced sides beyond at least one ofthe opposedsides. These ends of the links provide guide rails at opposite sides ofthe structure when it is used as a ramp or bridge.

It is another object of this invention to provide an extensible andcontractable tower wherein each side is formed of articulated linkage ofthe lazy tong type, and wherein the linkage forming one side ispivotally connected to the linkage forming an adjacent side so that allof the sides extend and contract as a unit.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a structure ofthe type set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein thearticulatedlinkage forming adjacent sides of the structure is pivotallyconnected by angle members, and wherein means is provided for couplingadjacent members to hold the sides in their extended positions.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent asthis description proceeds, especially when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevational view of an extensible andcontractable mnltisided structure forming the subject matter of thisinvention, and showing the same in a contracted position;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the structure showingthe same extended;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure};

Figure 5 is across sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

'Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is aside elevational view of a modified construction;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the structure in Figure 7 showing thesame in an extended position; and

Figure 9 is a'semidiagramrnatic sectional view of a part of thestructure. shown inFigure 7.

The structure shown in the several figures of the drawings has many anddiversified uses, which are not all specifically illustrated herein; butwhich will become apparent as this description proceeds. The structureshown in Figures '1 to'4 inclusive of the drawings comprises laterallyspaced sides 10 and opposed sides 11 positioned between thesides' 10. Ingeneral each side is composed .of articulated linkage of the lazy tongtype, and each side is pivotally connected to an adjacent side in amanner such that all of the sides are compelled to extend and contractas a unit.

Specifically the sides 10 are identical in construction and adescription of one will suflice for both. The numeral 12 designateslinkage of the lazy tong type and for the purpose of illustration, thislinkage is shown as having two groups 13 and 14 of links. The links 15of the group 13 extend parallel to one another and lie in a common planein side by side relationship. The links 16 of the group 14 also extendparallel to one another and are arranged in side by side relationship ina common plane parallel to the plane of the group 13 of links 15. Thelinks of one group cross links in the other group; and in the specificembodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, each linkof one group crosses five links of the other group. It will of course beunder stood that the specific number of links arranged in crossingrelationship may be varied to suit structures of difierent designs andshould notbe construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.With this in view it will be noted from Figures 1 and 3 of the drawingsthat the links of one group are pivoted to the links of the other groupby pins 17 at the points of crossing indicated by the reference numerals18, 19, 20, 21, and 22. These points are spaced equal distances fromeach other lengthwise of the respective links, and the arrangement issuch as to impart a lazy tong type action to the sides 10.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings, it will be noted thatthe opposed sides 11 are also identical in construction, so that adescription of one side 11 will suffice for both. The numeral 23indicates generally linkage of the lazy tong type, and in the presentinstance, comprises two groups 24 and 25 of links. The links 26 of thegroup 24 extend parallel to one another in side by side relationship,and are arranged in a common plane. The links 27 of the group 25 alsoextend parallel to one another in side by side relationship and arearranged in a common plane parallel to the plane of the group 24 oflinks 26.

The links of. the group 24 cross links in the group 25; and in thepresent instance, each link of one group crosses four links of the othergroup, although this arrangement may be varied in accordance withvariations in the fabrication of the sides 10. As shown particularly inFigure 2 of the drawings, the links 26 of the group 24 are pivoted tothe links 27 of the group 25 at the points of crossing indicated by thereference characters 28, 29, 30 and 31 by pins 32. The points 28, 29, 30and 31 of the pivotal connections between the links of the two groupsare spaced equal distances from each other lengthwise of the links inorder to impart a lazy tong action to the opposed sides 11 of thestructure.

It has been stated above that the opposed sides 11 are pivotallyconnected to the sides 10 in order to compel all of the sides to extendandcontract as a unit. For accomplishing this result a multiplicity ofconnectors or angle members 33 are provided, having angularly disposedarms 34 and 35. As shown particularly in Figures 4 and 5 of thedrawings, the arms 34 of the connectors 33 are respectively pivotallyconnected to the pins 32 at the points 28 and 31 associated with boththe opposed sides 11. The arms 35 of the connectors are respectivelypivotally supported on the pins 17 embodied in the laterally spacedsides 10. In the specific embodiment of the invention selected hereinfor the purpose of illustration, the arms 35 of the connectors 33 on thebottom side 11 are respectively mounted on the pivot pins 17 at thepoints 19. On the other hand the arms 35 of the connectors 33 on the topside 11 are respectively mounted on the pins 17 at the points 22 of theside walls 10. It will of course be understood that this arrangement maybe varied, dependingv upon the degree of extension of the structurerequired.

In connection with the above it will be noted that when the structure isextended to its fullest extent, the

opposed walls 11 contact one another. As a result further extension ofthe structure is definitely prevented, and the opposed walls coact toincrease the rigidity of the structure. When the structure is to be usedas a bridge or ararnp, the contacting opposed walls 11 act as a tread uor road surface of the vehicles, and hence rigidity is an importantconsideration.

In order to substantially close the spaces existing between the links ofthe top side 11 in the extended position of the structure, the bottomside may be staggered or shifted slightly relative to the top side 11 inthe direction of length of the structure. As shown in Figure 4 of thedrawings, the sides 11 are olfset to such an extent that the links ofthe bottom side 11 assume positions between the adjacent links of thetop side 11. Such a construction provides what may be considered asubstantially continuous surface along which vehicles may be transportedin the extended position of the structure. It will further be noted thatthe ends of the links forming the sides project upwardly beyond theplane of the top side 11, and this is desirable in that the projectingportions of the links form in eifect guide rails along the length of thestructure.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the structure described isespecially suitable for use as a transportable ramp or bridge. Howeverby rearranging the disposition of the sides 10, 11, many other uses forthe structure are possible. For example the structure may be readilyemployed in the manufacture of an extensible truck or trailer body, andby varying the angular relation of the sides, it is possible to use thestructure as framework for temporary buildings.

With the above in view reference is now made more in detail to theembodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 to 9 inclusive. In thisembodiment the structure has been modified for use as an extensible andcontractable tower for supporting radar, telegraphy or similarequipment, or for supporting an observation platform on mobileequipment. In detail the numeral 36 designates a support which may be inthe form of a truck platform, for example, and the numeral 37 indicatesan extensible and contractable tower having the bottom thereof suitablymounted on the support 36.

The tower structure 37 comprises four sides, and each side is composedof articulated linkage 38 of the lazy tong type. In detail each side ofthe tower comprises two groups 39 and 40 of links. The links 41 of thegroup 39 respectively cross the links 42 of the group 40 intermediatethe ends, and are pivoted at the points of crossing by pins 43. Theextremities of the links 41 and 42 are also pivotally connected in themanner shown in Figure 8 by pins 44, so that each of the four sides ofthe tower possesses a lazy tong type linkage action.

Each side of the tower is connected to an adjacent side at the points ofpivotal connection between the extremities of the links by angle membersor connectors 45. The angularly disposed arms of the connectors 45 arerespectively pivoted to the pins 44 of adjacent sides and are providedwith extensions 46. These extensions project toward one another as shownin Figure 8 of the drawings, and are adapted to be coupled together inorder to retain the tower in any desired extended position. Thus theconnectors 45 not only effect uniform extension and contraction of thetower, but also serve as a means for holding the tower in any desiredextended position.

The lower ends of the bottom links associated with the respective sidesof the tower are pivoted on the support 36, and the upper ends of thetop links of the tower may be connected to a support 47. This supportmay serve as an observation platform or may serve as a mounting for anyequipment it is desired to project to an elevated position.

Any suitable means may be employed for coupling the extension 46 on theconnectors. It is preferred to use coupling devices capable of beingoperated electrically from ground elevation. In Figure 9 a typicaldevice is shown diagrammatically for coupling the extension 46 of theconnectors. Briefly the device comprises a bolt 48 supported on oneextension 46 and a keeper 49 mounted on the adjacent extension 46 in aposition to engage the bolt 48. The electrical control means foroperating the bolt forms no part of the present invention, and is notshown herein.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An extensible and contractible structure having laterally spacedparallel sides and having parallel opposed sides interposed between thelaterally spaced sides, said opposed sides being at right angles to saidlaterally spaced sides, each side comprising first and second groups oflinks respectively arranged in parallel planes with the links of eachgroup extending parallel to one another in side by side relationship,the links of the first group crossing adjacent links of the second groupand pivoted to the latter links at points of crossing to impart a lazytong action to adjacent sidesof the structure, means for connecting theopposed sides to the laterally spaced sides for extending andcontracting all of said sides as a unit, said means comprising spacedrows of connectors on each of the laterally spaced sides respectivelypivotally connected to links of said laterally spaced sides at points ofcrossing thereof which lie in lines parallel to the opposed sides, theconnectors of said spaced rows also being respectively pivotallyconnected to adjacent links of the opposed sides at the end points ofcrossing thereof, the connectors of one row on each of the laterallyspaced sides being staggered with respect to the connectors of the otherrow, the first and second groups of links of one opposed side beingstaggered with respect to the first and second groups of links of theother opposed side in a manner such that the links of the first andsecond groups of said one opposed side respectively lie between adacentlinks of the first and second groups of said other opposed side in theextended position of the structure.

2. An extensible and contractible structure having laterally spacedparallel sides and having parallel opposed sides interposed between thelaterally spaced sides, said opposed sides extending at right angles tosaid laterally spaced sides, each side comprising first and secondgroups of links respectively arranged in parallel planes with the linksof each group extending parallel to one another in side by siderelationship, the links of the first group crossing adjacent links ofthe second group and pivoted to the latter links at points of crossingto impart a lazy tong action to adjacent sides of the structure, meansfor connecting the opposed sides to the laterally spaced sides forextending and contracting all of said sides as a unit, said meanscomprising spaced rows of connectors on each of the laterally spacedsides respectively pivotally connected to links of said laterally spacedsides at points of crossing thereof which lie in lines parallel to theopposed sides, the connectors of said spaced rows also beingrespectively pivotally connected to adjacent links of the opposed sidesat the end points of crossing thereof, the connectors of one row on eachof the laterally spaced sides being staggered with respect to theconnectors of the other row, said opposed sides contacting one anotherin the extended position of the structure to limit the degree ofextension and to impart substantial rigidity to the structure in itsextended position.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 2, the links of the laterallyspaced sides extending beyond one opposed side and coacting with thelatter to form guide rails.

4. An extensible and contractible structure having parallel opposedsides and having an adjacent side connecting the opposed sides anddisposed at right angles thereto, each side comprising first and secondgroups of links respectively arranged in parallel planes with the linksof each group extending parallel to one another in side by siderelationship, the links of the first group crossing adjacent links ofthe second group and pivoted to the latter links at points of crossingto impart a lazy tong action to adjacent sides of the structure, meansfor connecting the opposed sides of the adjacent side for extending andcontracting all of said sides as a unit, said means comprising spacedrows of connectors respectively pivotally connected to links of saidadjacent side at points of crossing thereof which lie in lines parallelto the opposed sides. the connectors of said rows also beingrespectively pivotally connected to adjacent links of said opposed sidesat the end points of crossing thereof, the connectors of one row beingstaggered with respect to the connectors of the other row, and saidopposed sides being movable into contact with one another upon extendingthe structure to limit the degree of extension and to impart substantialrigidity to the structure in its extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 226,101 Pfautz Mar. 30, 1880 415,667 Edwards Nov. 19, 1889713,561 Doyen Nov. 11, 1902 797,077 Shaw Aug. 15, 19 0 5 2,080,441 ShoopMay 18, 1937

